Lens



March 20, 1934. A, R A L 1,951,779

LENS

Filed June 21, 1932 gwumm Patented Mar. 20, 1934 brew QFFICEI 1' LENS Albert R. Stahl, Somerset County, Pa. Application June 21, 1932, Serial No. 618,517

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a lens and has relation more particularly to a lens especially designed and adapted for use in connection with a headlight, such as used upon automobiles, locomotives and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lens of this kind constructed in a manner whereby the light rays from the illuminating unit with which the lens is employed are effectively controlled and particularly to avoid glare which would confuse and hinder the driver of an approaching vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lens of this kind wherein substantially one half portion thereof is transparent and. the remaining portion translucent.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a lens wherein a portion is of a thickness materially greater than the thickness of the remaining portion, said thickened portion being translucent and wherein a shield or hood is car ried by the thickened portion to closely approach the illuminating element associated with the lens to further control the li ht rays emitted from said illuminating unit.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved lens whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, and less expensive, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will here-- inafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:--

Figure 1 is a sectional View taken through a lens constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, an associated lamp and illuminating unitloeing diagrammatically indicated by broken lines;

Figure 2 is a view in rear elevation of the lens as herein embodied unapplied.

As herein disclosed, my improved lens is circular in form and concave convex although I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to any particular design. The lens comprises an upper portion 1 and a lower portion 2 both as herein disclosed being substantially circular, the upper portion being translucent while the lower portion 2 is transparent. These portions 1 and 2, however, are molded as a single unit, the translucency of the portion 1 being eifected by the in- (ill. 244l--41.4)

clusion of a proper proportion of porcelain or other material which may be preferred. The portion 1 is also of a thickness materially greater than the thickness of the portion 2 with the outer faces, however, of the portions 1 and 2 substantially in continuity.

The lower straight wall 3 of the portion 1 has formed therewith and of the same translucent material a rearwardly directed shield l substantially in the form of a semi-cone and which is of such dimensions as to closely surround from above the illuminating unit 5 of the lamp with which the lens is employed. The lens adjacent its forward face is defined by an outstanding flange 6 whereby the lens may be mounted and held in de- 0 sired position in a conventional way.

The end portions of the wall 3 at opposite sides of the shield 4 are disposed inwardly and downwardly to throw light rays emitting from the unit 5 toward the lower portion of the reflector within the lamp casing. These end portions of the wall 3 extend above the longitudinal axis of the lens and thus further assure reduction of glare through the upper portion of the lens.

The outer surface of the portion 1 has dis 0 posed thereacross in a general horizontal direction the grooves 7 while the portion 2 is provided thereover with the vertically arranged grooves 8. The inner face of the portion 1 is provided thereacross with the vertically disposed grooves 9 while the inner face of the lower portion 2 is provided with the crossed diagonal grooves 10. These grooves '7, 8, 9 and 10 are provided to bend or deflect certain of the light rays and thus further increase the eiiiciency of the lens as particularly pertains to reduction of the glare.

With the use of my improved lens no hindrance or obstruction will be offered to the emission of the rays through the lower portion 2 while the upper portion 1 will sufiiciently retard the light rays to eliminate glare from the upper part of the lamp which would otherwise tend to annoy and interfere with the driver of an approaching vehicle.

'rrom the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a lens constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein "1:

shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A lens comprising a lower transparent portion and an upper translucent portion, said translucent portion being of a thickness greater than the thickness of the transparent portion, the outer faces of both portions being substantially in continuity, the thickened translucent portion projecting rearwardly having a lower straight wall, a shield extending rearwardly from the lower part of the translucent portion at substantially the longitudinal center thereof, said shield being also translucent and substantially in the form of a semi-cone, the straight wall of the translucent portion at opposite sides of the shield being disposed on an inward and upward bevel.

2. A lens comprising a lower transparent portion and an upper translucent portion, said translucent portion being of a thickness greater than the thickness of the transparent portion, the outer faces of both portions being substantially in continuity, the thickened translucent portion projecting rearwardly having a lower straight wall, a shield extending rearwardly from the lower part of the translucent portion at substantially the longitudinal center thereof, said shield being also translucent and substantially in the form of a semi-cone, the straight wall of the translucent portion at opposite sides of the shield being disposed on an inward and upward bevel, the beveled portions of said wall extending above the longitudinal axis of the lens.

ALBERT R. STAHL.

its 

